Local temperature and humidity greatly affect workers. High temperatures and humidity can make the air feel much hotter than it actually is. Often, a worker’s sweat can’t evaporate as easily, making them susceptible to heat illnesses.

In this podcast, Dan Clark relays details of the updated, free smartphone application from OSHA. The iPhone/iPad version has a full makeover. The Android and Blackberry versions have modest updates. See the links in the transcript for the free downloads. [Ed. note: this app is temporarily unavailable for Android. Info here.]

TRANSCRIPT:

(:00)
intro music and effects

(:04)Dan Clark: OSHA updated its free Heat Safety Tool, a smart phone app that can help identify dangerous hot weather. Let’s take a look at the app and how it can help prevent heat illness.

Hello, I’m Dan Clark of The Safety Brief, tackling health and safety hazards in today’s demanding industrial and construction worksites, a service of Creative Safety Supply.

Now hear this! Make an order at creativesafetysupply.com and get 10% off with coupon code BIG10. That’s B I G 1 0, no spaces.

(:36)
If the temp is 100,° is it safe to work in? It could be. But, what if the humidity is 80%? This combination of temperature and humidity is the heat index.

100° with 80% humidity feels like 158°.

That’s right. That’s what it would feel like. Working in this condition is a very high to extreme risk.

OSHA’s Heat Safety Tool takes the guesswork out of working safely during hot weather. Not only does the app give the heat index, it also displays information on what to do. How to deal with that effective temperature.

(1:15)
HOW DOES IT WORK? To generate the heat index, the app automatically pulls the temp and humidity from the local forecast in your mobile device. It then calculates the heat index and reports the risk level. At this point you can click through to precautions to take during work, such as:

(1:47)
“WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE CARRIER SERVICE?” you’re asking. You can enter the figures manually, but you’ll have to estimate or carry a thermometer and hygrometer to the jobsite.

Remember, full sun can have a big impact on the heat index, jumping it buys much is 15°. Roofing, construction and agriculture are just a few of the at-risk jobs.

HOW DO I GET THIS? The free app is for iPhones and iPads, Android and Blackberry. Links to each are in the transcript of this podcast. [Ed. note: this app is temporarily unavailable for Android. Info here.]

(2:19)
The Apple version of the app has been redesigned, as of May 2015, with an improved look and accessibility. Also, it’s compatible with IOS 8.

The Android and Blackberry editions are available in their original 2011 versions. The information generated is still accurate, though. The graphics just aren’t updated like the Apple version.

(2:41)
That’s all for this episode, Heat Safety App Updated. Come back for more ways to stay safety compliant in today’s ever-changing landscape of safety requirements. I’m Dan Clark of The Safety Brief, a service of Creative Safety Supply. Save 10% off your entire order at creativesafetysupply.com with coupon code BIG10.